In 1984, at fourteen years of age, he earned NAUI and YMCA SCUBA certifications and was immediately hooked on diving. During his college years in Long Island, NY, he dove regularly, usually for lobster. During this time, he earned his PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Rescue Diver certifications. After meeting his bride-to-be and lifetime dive buddy, Cheryl, he became a PADI Divemaster in 1995.